Air vent valve



May 26, 1942- L. w. EGGLEsToN 2,284,137

AIR VENT VALVE Filed June 13, 1941 3m F1a-3 y e l g 3 r l w l I. B 39. i BCI] |36 9 i I 7 TAPERED INVENTOR PASSAGEWAY Kam. w. BY

@uw KM 1 Aw ATTORNEY Patented May 26, 1942 AIR VENT VALVE Lewis W. Eggleston, Detroit Lubricator Davison, Mich., assignor to Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 13, 1941, Serial No. 397,855

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to valves and more particularly to air vent valves for heating systems.

One object of this invention is to provide, a quietly operating air vent valve having a high venting rate.

Another object is to provide an air vent valve having means for separating out any entrained liquid prior to the discharge of the air from the valve. y

Another object is to provide an air vent valve having means for regulating the venting rate between predetermined limits.

Another object is to provide an air vent valve having a combined means for holding the outer housing to an inner casing and holding the vent regulating means in its adjusted position.

Other objects will be apparent from a reading of the specification and appended claims.

The invention consists in the improved construction of and combination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and the novelty of which will be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, to be taken as a part of this specication, there is fully and clearly illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an air vent valve embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a view in central vertical section of the vent valve and taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig, 4 is a partial View of the vent valve showing the inlet thereto, and

Fig. 5 is a partial View in section of the vent inlet showing the inlet partition.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference, the numeral I designates generally an air vent valve having an inner casing 2, preferably of sheet metal, and an outer surrounding housing 3, preferably of moulded material such as Bakelite, and having an open bottom end portion. The inner contour of the housing 3 substantially conforms with the outer contour of lthe casing-2 and provides a tapered passageway or chamber 3a of thin cross-section which is, in the particular vent valve shown, about .006 of an inch wide at the top and about .015 of an inch wide at the bottom. The casing 2 in cross-section is horseshoe shaped with a wall portion 4 connecting the otherwise open end of the horseshoe portion so that the casing 2 has a continuous side view.

wall arcuate wall portion 4a and a channel wall portion, the channel'portion having its flanges 4b extending tangentially from the arcuate portion and converging toward the channel base portion formed by the wall 4 which is slightly bowed or curved. The upper end of the casing 2 is closed by an end wall 5 integral with the side walls and having an aperture therethrough. The lower end of the casing 2 is closed by a plate member 6 having a perpendicularly extending flangeportion 'I which is sealed to the lower end portion of the'casing 2 as by solder 8. The wall portion 4 adjacent its lower end is apertured to receive a hollow tubular inlet nipple 9 which is sealed and secured thereto. The nipple 9 extends substantially perpendicularly outward from the casing 2 and extends through a slot or aperture I0 in the housing 3. The slot IIl preferably,` opens downwardly through the lower end of the housing 3 so that the casing 2 may be inserted into the housing 3 from the housing open bottom end portion. The outwardly extending end of the nipple 9 is externally threaded as at II for screwthreaded connection to a radiator of a steam heating system or other steam chest Il to communicatively connect the interior of the radiator to the interior of the casing 2. A plate-like member I2, which may be a fibre strip, has an aperture therethrough which receives and substantially nts the outer periphery of the nipple 9 intermediate the casing 2 and housing 3. The member I2 is positioned on the nipple 9 prior to insertion of the casing 2`into the housing 3 and acts to close the slot I0 to hide the casing 2 from A bent portion I3 on the member I2 is held between shoulders on the casing 2 and housing 3 to hold the member I2 in position. A resililient baffle plate member I3a extends longitudinally of and Within the nipple 9 and divides the interior of the nipple 9 into an upper or air flow passageway I3b and a lower' or water flow passageway I3=. The plate member |35, in crosssection, has a substantially V-shaped bowed portion I3d with horizontally extending side flanges I3e which engage diametrically opposite portions of the inner wall of the nipple 9. The free dimension between the outer surfaces kof the anges I3e is somewhat greater than the diameter of the passageway through the nipple 9 so that upon insertion of the plate member I3a thereinto, the V-shaped portion I3d is placed under stress to hold tightly the member I3a within the nipple 9. The V-shaped portion I3d also provides the desired increased ow area' of the upper passageway I3b with respect to the flow area of the lower passageway I3. The member I3* extends materially beyond the outer end ot the nipple 9 so that when the valve 1I is secured in the wall Il"l of the radiator section or other space to be vented, the upper and lower passageways I3b and I3c will extend all the way from the interior oi' the valve I to the radiator s ce.

"pl tubular casing Hof circular'cross-secti'on has a closed top end or wall I and an open lower end I6 which is positioned substantially at the level of the member. I3. 'Ihe casings 2 and I4 cooperate to form a vertical up-flow passageway I5'L adjacent'the wall 4 of the casing 2. 'I'he upper end portion of the side wallof the casing I4 and the adjacent portion of the wall I5 facing wall l,v are slotted or cut substantially a tangential inlet or guideway lib to the interior of the casing I 4 from the passageway I6Il so that fluid admitted by the inlet I5"V has a rotary movement within the casing I4.'

The top end wall I5 has an aperture therethrough of equal size to the aperturev through the end vwall 5 of the casing 2. A supporting member' I1 which is preferably cylindrical in shape, has a lower shoulder I8 which seats against the upper extending surface of the end wall 5, and hasa downwardly extending neck portion of substantially the same'cross-section as, and which projects through, `the apertures in` I5. The supporting member extending portion has an enlarged portion I9, which may be formed as by peening, which. acts to hold the walls 5 and I5 tightly together and against the shoulder I3. 'Ihe end wall 2| ofthe housing seats against van upwardly facing shoulder on the member I1 which isspaced from and above the shoulder Il. An upwardly projecting neck portion of the member I 1 extends beyond the shoulder 20 and ilts within an aperture extending through the upper end wall 2l of thehousing 3 and acts to position the'housing 3 relative to the supporting Ymemberll and casings 2 and Il. :The supptrting member I1 h as a longitudinal passageway 22 extending therethrough and opening upwardly through its upper end wall and opening downwardly through its lower end wall and into the interior of the casing I4. A diametric passageway 23 extends through the supporting member I1 substantially'midway between the shoulders I8 and 20 and communicatively connects the pasthe walls 5 andv substantially ver-` tically and bent downwardly and inwardly to form,

21 has a passageway 23* opening through the lower end wall thereof concentric with the seating portion 29 so that it is always inopen communication with the interior of the casing Il. 'I'he other end of the passageway 29l opens into the normal diameter portion of the passageway 22 intermediate the threaded portion 25 and the valve seat 25 so that the passagewayacts to bypass fluid past vthe valve controlled seat 25. The passageway 23l has a flow restricting section or orifice portion 23" which acts to limit the amount of by-passed uid.

The valve member extends upwardly beyond the upper surface of the wall 2| and has an enlarged diameter portion which is externally splined and has a normal diameter screw-threaded portion 3| positioned intermediate the portion 3l and the upper end of the member 21.` A combined adjustment and holding member 32, preferably cylindrical in form, has a central aperture therethrough. The lower end vof the holding member aperture is of reduced diameter and inmovement thereof for sageway 22 with a space 2l formed intermediate the housing 3 and the end wall 5 of the casing 2. The space 2| is in open communication with the passageway 3'. 'Ihe lower portion of the passageway 22 intermediate the passageway 23 and the interior of the casing I4V is of reduced diameter relative'to the upper portiony of the passageway 22 and which upper portion is' screw-threaded as at 25. A valve seat 26 is formed at the intersection of thereduced diameter portion with the normal diameter way 22.

A valve member 21 is positioned within the passageway 22 and is externally screwthreaded as at 23 for screw-threaded engagement with the screw threads 25 so that a valve seating portion 23 formed at the lower end portion of the valve memberl 21 may be adjustably positioned relative to the valve seat 25 for controlling flow of fluid through the passageway 22. To provide for a predetermined ilow through the passageway 22 irrespective of the position of the valve member 21 portion of the passage.

Vend of the casing I4.

ternally splined for cooperation with the splines on the portion 30 so that rotation of the holding or adjustmentmember 32 will cause rotation of the valve member 21 with consequent longitudinal adjusting the rate of flow of fluid through the passageways 22 and 23. l, It will be noted that fluid iiow is from the interior of the casing through the reduced diameter portion of the passageway 22 and through passageway 23 into the space 24, iluid flow upward through the threaded portion of the passageway 22 being prevented by the threaded portion 23 of the valve member 21.

Subsequent to adjustment of the valve member 21 by the holding or adjustment membery 32, a nut 33 having a suitable tool slot 3| such as for example, a screwdriver slot, is threaded relative to the threaded portion 3| and seats against a shoulder 35 formed at the intersection ofthe reducedv diameter and normal diameter aperture portions of the member 32. The seating of the nut' 33 forces the lower surface of the member 32 against the upper surface of thewall 2| to securely hold the housing 3 against the shoulder 20 and in its correct cooperating position on the casing 2. The internal and external splines of the members 32 and 21 respectively, act to allow the members 21 and 32 to move axially relative to each other and yet` relative rotational movelast thread or threads 3| may be deformed to of the threaded portion prevent the nut 33 from 'being easily removed from the valve member `21 subsequent Lto assembly so that the nut 33 will beless liable to become lost or mislaid. A radially extending pointer or finger 35 of the member 32 cooperates with suitable indicia which are shown as raised lugs moulded vintegral with the upper surface ofthe'wall 2l or which could be of any other known form to indicate visually the setting of the seating portion 23 relative to the valve seat 25. A raised portion 31 extends upwardly from the top surface of the wall 2| and cooperates with the linger 35 'to -prevent the valve member 32 vfrom being rotated more than 360.

Within the casing I4 there is positioned a hollow open ended float member 3l, preferably circular in cross-section, which has its lower end portion extending downwardlybelow the lower in the floatmember 33.` The noat 'member 3l The lower end ofthe iloat member 33 is sealed by a ilexible diaphragm 3l which is moved in response to the pressure withrated out and ,not carried along with the venting air so that solely vapor is allowed to escape through the passageways 22 and 23.

It may now be seen that with thevent valve described, quick venting of the air from a heating system is accomplished quietly, the heating system may be'balanced so that all the radiators will be heated evenly, and in the event of a high pressure of the heating medium, a reduced venting rate may be had so that liquid will not be allowed to escape from the radiators.

What is claimed and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an air vent valve, an outer casing having a continuous side wall with an arcuate portion and achannel portion, the anges of said channel portion extending tangentially from said the plane of a lower end wall portion of said automatic valve in said casing controlling ow through said outlet passageway, said housing member confining and directing all of the iluid discharged from said outlet passageway into said discharge passageway.

4. In an air vent valve, a casing having an inlet in its lower end portion and having a top wall with an aperture therethrough, a supporting member overlying said aperture and sealed to said housing to said supporting member and acting to prevent fluid ow through said housing aperture, said supporting member having a passageway leading from the interior of said casing and opening into the space between said casing extending above and below inner casing forming said upow passage, means providing an outow passageway from said inner casing, and an automatic valve within said inner casing and controlling said outilow passageway.

2. In an air vent valve, a casing for connection to a space to be vented and having a top wall aperture, a supporting member closing said aperture and projecting above said casing, a housing member mounted on said supporting member and extending downward around said casing to provide a downward directed discharge passageway, means engaging andsecuring the top wall of said housing member to said supporting member in spaced relation to the casing top wall, said supporting member having an outlet passageway leading from the interior of said casing to the space between said top walls, and an automatic valve in said casing controlling ow through said outlet passageway, said housing member confining and directing al1 of the uid discharged from said outlet passageway into said discharge passageway.

3. In an air vent valve, a casing for connection to a space to be vented and having a top wall aperture, a supporting member closing said aperture and projecting above said casing, a housing member mounted on said supporting member and extending downward around said casing to provide a downward directed discharge passageway, means engaging and securing the top wall of said housing member to said supporting member in spaced relation to the casing top wall, said supporting member having an outlet passageway leading from the interior of said casing to the space between said top walls, an inlet nipple secured in and opening through an aperture in the sidewall of said casing, a partition within said casing providing an upilow passage-- way leading from said nipple and having an aperture communicating with said outlet passageway, a baille plate dividing said nipple internally into upper and lower ow passages, said plate having its inner end engaging and positioning the lower end of said partition, and an top wall and said housing, the side wall of said housing cooperating with the side wall of said casing to form a passageway of thin cross-section opening downwardly from said space for exhausting fluid admitted to said space by said supporting member passageway.

5. In an airvent valve, a casing having an inletin its lower end portion and having a top wall with an aperture therethrough', a supporting member overlying said aperture and sealed to said top wall, a housing surrounding said casing and hav- 'ing a top wall with an aperture therethrough and having an enclosing side wall, said supporting member having a, portion extending into said housing aperture, and means holding said housing to said supporting member and acting to prevent uid iiow through said housing aperture, said supporting member having a passageway leading from the interior of said casing and opening into the space between said casing top wall and said housing, said enclosing side wall being tapered and cooperating with the side wall of said casing to form a tapered passageway of thin cross-section openingv downwardly through the bottom end of said housing for exhausting fluid admitted to said space b y said supporting member passageway, said tapered passageway being of increasing cross-section toward said housing bottom end.

6. In an air vent valve, a casing having an inlet in its lower end portion and having a top wall with an aperture therethrough, a supporting member overlying said aperture and sealed to said top wall, a housing surrounding said casing and having a top wall with an aperture therethrough, said supporting member having a neck portion extending into said housing aperture, said supporting member having a passageway leading from the interior of said casing and opening into the space between said casing top wall and said housing, said housing cooperating with the side wall of said casing to form a passageway of thin cross-section for exhausting fluid admitted to said space by said supporting member passageway, said last-named passageway opening downwardly through the bottom end of said housing, valve means cooperable with said supporting member passageway for controlling duid flow therethrough and extending through said housing aperture, and means positioned externally of said housing for holding said valve means in adjusted position and for holding said housing against said supporting member to prevent fluid ilow through said housing aperture.

7. In an air vent valve, a casing having an inlet contains a quantity of trichloroethylene so that as the temperature surrounding the float member 38 is increased, the internal pressure ofthe trichloroethylene will increase and flex the diaphragm 38 outwardly. A valve member secured to the upper end portion ofthe float member 38 and has a seating surface which is engageable with a downwardly facing valve seat 4I formed at the intersection of the reduced diameter portion of the passageway recessed passageway portion of the passageway 22. The float member 38 is limited in its downward movement by engagement of the diaphragm 38 with the upper end surface of a screw 42 which is screw-threadedy through an aperture in the 16 end wall i and sealed as by solder subsequent to adjustment. The screw 42 is positioned in the usual prior art manner so that, at a temperature 0f about 190 degrees Fahrenheit, the outward deflection against the screw 42 asa stop will cause the float member 38 to move upward so that the valve member 48 will engage the seat 4I and stop all fluid flow into the passageway 22 from the interior of the casing I4. At lower temperatures, 25

the diaphragm 38 seating on the screw 42 will not maintain the float member 38 in a position to stop fluid flow into the passageway 22.

An annular disk valve member 43 is positioned on the valve member 48 and seats against a shoul- 30 der of the valve member 40. The member 43 has a larger internal diameter than the external diameter of the portion of the valve member 40 which it surrounds so that fluid can pass between the members 40 and 43. The shoulder 44 is so 35 positioned relative to the lower end surface of the supporting member I1 that when the valve member 48 is in engagement with the valve seat 4I and the valve member 43 is against the shoulder 44 the valve member 43 willnot engage the 40 lower end surface of the supporting member I1. When valve member 40 is away from its seat 4|, then, and then only, upon the occurrence of a predetermined fluid flow into passageway 22',

the valve 43 will be'moved to engage the lower 45 l y y z` .136W Of to thefaniolunt afai valve vI-,1, a's -fs'lfrown,andgde'scribed, this is accomend surface of the supporting member I1 thereby to reduce the rate of fluid flow into the passageway 22 from the interior of the casing I4 to qv n n Y l lishedybyjmeans ,of the adjustable valve mema capacity which may flow between the member 43 and the member 48.

The operation of the vent valve I is as follows: Air and/or other vapors along with any entrained liquid from the radiator II* to be vented pass from the radiator IIa through the'upper passageway I3b into the space I6l formed inter- 55 mediate thecasings 2 and I4. Because of the greater restriction to fluid now through the annular passageway formed intermediate the float member 38 and casing I4 over that through the space I6, the majority of the admitted substance 60 from the radiator will pass upward through the space I8a and then through the tangential inlet I6b into the interior of the casing I4 above the float member 38. This material is caused to enter the casing I4 with a swirling action so that 65 the entrained Iiquid is thrown out and passes by gravity down the annular space between the casing I4 and float member 38 to the bottom of the casing 2. As the liquid level rises to the level of the lower passageway through back to the radiator I I, The air and/or the vapor will flow out through the passageways 22 and 23 and down through the space 3* formed between the housing 3 and casing 2 to atmosphere. The narrow space 3* acts as a muilier 7 22 with a 10 ofthe diaphragm 39 acting 20 valve venting-th i the greatest amountI I3 it will ilow there- 70 the predetermined temperature, which for exi ample may be 190 F., valve 48 will act to engage the valve seat 4I and prevent the escape of steam from the radiator.

It sometimes happens that a large quantity of liquid is forced from the radiator through the nipplev 8 into the casing 2. When this occurs the float member 38 will be lifted thereby and the valve member 48 will engage the seat 4I to prevent the liquid from passageway 22 in the usual manner of prior art valves. 1

In the majority of steam or hot water heating systems the heating mediumis supplied periodically to the radiators so that there is first a venting of the air from the radiators and then as the supply .of heating medium is cut-off, an inflow of air to the radiators.` Furthermore, there is usually in ,domestic systems a plurality of radiators connected to one heat generator which operates tosupply heat periodically in accordance with the demand for heat as indicated by a room thermostat located in one room of the house. Upon a call for heat the heating means starts to operate, but before the heating medium can reach and heat the radiators, the air within the system mustbe vented. It is desirable for economical operation to vent this air at the lowest practicable pressures from the system and, which with the vent valve shown, may be done at ounce pressures insteadof pound pressures as `was the common practice heretofore. It is also fthe venting rates of the valves positioned on each radiator, be!V adjusted; sol that the restriction to the venting; air is'inversely proportional t0 lbe vented. In the vent yr'aciiat'oifwhich must exhaust ot lair at full open position "and then to gradually-'reduce the venting rates on the other ventivalves until the heating medium is supplied v"substantially simultaneously to all of the radiators; Subsequent to adjustment, the nut 33 is screwed downwardly to lock the valve member 21 in its adjusted position and to hglld the housing 3 tightly against the shoul- It sometimes happens that for one cause or another, such vas the opening of the radiator control valve after the heating medium pressure has been increased by the heating means, a greater pressure of the heating medium within the radiator occurs than is normal so that the vent` valve I would act to vent the entrapped air at such a high rate that entrained water might be discharged from the valve. In such an event the valve member -43 is lifted by the greater pressure and engages the lower end wall of the supporting member I1 thereby reducing the rate of air flow through the passageway. This reduced` rate of air flow allows the entrained water to be sepa.-v

escaping through the valves is to place the vent and having a top wall with an aperture therethrough, a supporting member positioned in said aperture and sealed to the marginal portion thereof, a shoulder on said member spaced from said top wall, a housing seating on said shoulder and surrounding said casing and having a top wall with an aperture therethrough, said supporting member extending into said housing aperture, said supporting member having a passageway leading from the interior of said casing and opening into the space between said housing and said casing and having an aperture leading from said passageway and opening through a Wall of said supporting member externally of said housing, a valve member extending through said supporting member aperture and cooperable with said passageway to control iiow of fluid therethrough, adjusting means carried externally of said housing and operatively connected to said valve member and operable to engage said housing top wall, and means holding said valve member in its iiow controlling position and holding said housing tightly against said shoulder and in its casing surrounding position.

8. In an air vent valve, a casing having an inlet and having a top wall with an aperture therethrough, a supporting member positioned in said aperture and sealed to the marginal portion thereof, a shoulder on said member spaced from said top wall, a housing seating on said shoulder and surrounding said casing and having a top wall with an aperture therethrough, said supporting member extending into said housing aperture, said supporting member having a passageway leading from the interior of said casing and opening into the space between said housing and said casing and having an aperture leading from said passageway and opening through a wall of said supporting member externally of said housing, a valve member extending through said supporting member aperture and cooperable with said passageway to control flow of fluid therethrough, adjusting means carried externally of said housing and operatively connected to said valve member and operable to engage said housing top wall, a passageway in constant open communication with the interior of said casing and with said space, an orifice in said last-named passageway and operable to control flow of fluid through said last-named passageway, and means holding said valve member ir. its ow controlling position and holding said housing tightly against said shoulder and in its surrounding position. Y

9. In an air vent valve, a first casing having a top wall anda bottom wall, a second casing having a top wall and an open bottom end and being positioned within said rst casing, said top walls having aligned apertures therethrough, means extending through said apertures and rigidly holding said casings in a fixed relative position, said extending means having a passageway therethrough and including a valve port, a oat having a portion within said second casing, a valve member carried -by said float and cooperable with said port to control iiow of duid therethrough, said rst casing having an inlet at its bottom end and opening into the space between said casings, said second casing having at its top end an inlet thereto from said space, and means cooperable with said second casing inlet to discharge the admitted uid against the side wall of said second casing thereby to cause any entrained liquid to be separated from the admitted fluid so that vapors solely will kpass through said passageway. A

10. In an air vent valve, a first casing having a top wall and a bottom wall, a second casing having Aa top wall and an open bottom end and being positioned within said rst casing, said top walls having aligned apertures therethrough, means extending through said apertures and rigidly holding said casings in a fixed relative position, said extending means having a passageway therethrough and including a valve port, a oat positioned within said casings and having a portion within said ,second casing, a valve member carried by said float and cooperable with said port to control flow of uid therethrough, said first casing having an inlet adjacent said bottom wall and opening .into the space between said casings, said second casing having adjacent its top wall an inlet thereto from said space, and guide means to impart rotary flow to the fluid entering said second casing through said second casing inlet thereby to cause any entrained liquid to be separated from the admitted uid so that vapor solely will pass through said passageway.

11. In an air vent valve, a rst casing having a. top wall and a bottom wall, a second casing having a top wall and an open bottom end and being positioned within said first casing, said top walls having aligned apertures therethrough, means extending through said apertures and rigidly holding said casings in xed relative positions, said extending means having a passageway therethrough and including a valve port, a float positioned within said casings and having a portion wit-hin said second casing, a valve member carried by said oat and cooperable with said port to control ow of fluid therethrough, said first casing having an inlet adjacent said bottom wall and opening into the space between vsaid casings, a tubular member secured to said inlet and opening into said space, a dividing member held in said tubular member and extending longitudinally thereof toform upper and lower passageways, said open bottom end terminating substantially at saidy dividing member, said second casing having adjacent its top wall an inlet thereto from said space, and means cooperable with said second casing inlet to discharge the admitted uid against the side wall of said second casing thereby to cause any entrained liquid to be separated from the admitted fluid so that vapors solely will pass through said extending means passageway. Y

12. In an air vent valve, a first casing having a horseshoe shaped portion with a side wall closing the otherwise open end of said horseshoe portion and having a top wall and a bottom wall, a hollow tubular inlet member carried by said side wall at the bottom end of said casing and in open communication with the interior of said casing, a longitudinally extending dividing memher within said tubular member and forming upper and lower passageways through said tubular member, said top Wall having an aperture therethrough at the center of curvature of said horseshoe portion, a second casing having a cylindrical side wall and having a. top Wall, said second casing top wall having a central aperture therethrough, means holding said top walls adjacent each other in xed relation and with said apertures in alignment, said rst and said second casings cooperating to form a passageway for fluid adjacent said rst casing side wall and communicating with said upper passageway, said second casing having at its top end an inlet leading into the interior of said second casing from said last-named passageway, means cooperable with said last-named inlet to dischargethe admitted iluid toward said cylindrical side wall, and outletV means leading from the interior of said second casing andv extending through said apertures.

13. In an air vent valve, a iirst casing having a horseshoe shaped portion with a side wall closing the -otherwise open end of said horseshoe portion and having a top wall and a bottom wall. a hollow tubular inlet member vcarried by said side wall adjacent said bottom wall and in open communication with the' interior of said casing having a cylindrical side wall and having a top wall, said second casing top wall having a central aperture therethrough, means holding said top walls adjacent each other in fixed relation and with said apertures in alignment, said iirst and said second casings cooperating to form a passageway for fluid adjacent said first casing side wall and communicating with said upper passageway, said second casing having adjacent said second casing top wall an inlet leading into'v the interior of said second casing from said lastnamed passageway, and outlet meansv leading from the interior of said second casing and extending through said apertures.

14. In an air vent valve, a rst casing having a horseshoe shaped portion with a side wall closing the otherwise open end of said horseshoe portion and having a top wall and a bottom wall, a hollow tubular inlet member carried by said side wall adjacent said bottom wall and in open communication with the interior of said casing, a longitudinally extending dividing member within said tubular member and forming upper and `lower passageways lthrough said tubular member, saidl top wall having an aperture therethrough at the center of curvature of said horseshoe portion, a second casing having a cylindrical side wall and having ay top wall, said second casing top wall having a central aperture therethrough, means holding said top walls adjacent each other in xed relation and with said aperturesin alignment, saidrst and said second casings cooperating to form a passageway for tluid adjacent said ilrst casing side wall and communicating with said Vupper passageway, said second casing having 'adjacent said second casing top wall an inlet leading into'ithe interior ofsaid second casing from said last-named pas-4 sageway, outlet means leading from the interior of `said second casingl and extending through said apertures, said second casing having an open bottom end positioned substantially in the plane of said dividing member, a iloat member positioned within said second casing, and a valve member carried by said iloat member and cooperable with said outlet means to lcontrol llow of iluid therethrough.

Cil

15. In an airvent valve, a first casing having Aa horseshoe shaped portion with a sidewall closing the otherwise openv end o1' said horseshoe portion and having a top wall and a bottom wall. a hollow tubular inlet member. carried by said side wall adjacent said bottom wall and in open communication with the interiorof said casing.

a longitudinally extending ndividing, member` Within said tubular member and forming upper.. and lower passageways through said tubular i member, said top wall having anaperture there through at the center of curvature of said horse-y shoe portion, a second casing having a cylindrical side wall and having a top wall, said second casing top wall having a central aperture therethrouglnmeans holding said top walls adjacent each otherin xed relation and with said'fsperturesin alignment, said rst and said 4second casing cooperating to form a passageway for fluid adjacent said rst casing side wall and communicating with said upper passageway, saidsecondrcasing having adjacent said second casing top wall an inletyleading into the interior of said second casing from said last-named passageway, outlet means leading from the interior of said second casing and extending through said apertures, said second casing having an open bottom end positioned substantially in the plane of said dividing member, a temperaf ture responsive member positioned within said second casing, a'valve member carried by said temperature responsive member vand engageable with said outlet means to controlilow `of tluid therethrough, and means 'carried by saidv rst casing bottom wall and acting to vdetermine the temperature at which said valve member engages said outlet means.

16. In an air vent valve, a casing having an outlet port, an automatic valve in -said casing and operable to close said'outlet-port, an inlet nipple secured to and opening into said casing, and a resilient baille plate dividing said nipple internally into parallel now passages, said plate being compressed transversely by the nipple walls to hold said plate tightly in position.

17. In an air vent valve, a casing having an outlet port, an automatic valve in said casing and operable to close said outlet port, aninlet nipple secured to and opening `into said casing, and a baille plate dividing said nipple internally into Van air inflow passage and a water outilow passage, said plate being of trough-like transverse cross-sectionl so that said air passage is of greater ilow area than said water passage.

18. In an air vent valve, a casing having` an outlet port, van automatic valve in said casing and operable to close said outlet port, aninlet nipple secured to and opening through the side wall of said casing, and a bamefplate extending materially outward from the inlet end of and ydividing said nipple internally into an upper 'air engaging diametrically opposite portionso! the` 'v upper passage is of nipple wall so that said greater flow ares. than said lower passage. ,v

LEWIS W. EGGLESTON. 

